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When the Texans entered the offseason, their priority was to improve a defense that ranked 22nd in the NFL.

Not only did the Texans allow 336.6 yards per game, including 122.6 rushing, they were tied for 27th in scoring defense, allowing 24.6 points per game. They also ranked 27th with only 25 sacks — 12 by defensive end Mario Williams.

Because Smith is the only free agent expected to start, it makes sense that the Texans need to improve their defense in the April 25-26 draft.

“I feel good about what we were able to do in free agency,” general manager Rick Smith said. “You’re never able to solve all your problems in free agency, but you do as well as you can. By filling some of our need positions, it gives us flexibility in the draft. We don’t have to get a player at any one position in the first round.”

The Texans have the 15th pick in the first round. Last year, they needed an offensive tackle to protect quarterback Matt Schaub’s blind side. Rick Smith traded down for two extra picks and selected left tackle Duane Brown.

Rick Smith won’t admit it because he doesn’t want to give anything away, but it’s no secret the Texans need to improve their front seven. The Texans’ defense was terrible on first down and horrible in the red zone.

The Texans have five picks in the first four rounds. They need a big-time outside linebacker, and they can use a pass rusher coming off the bench. They also need another young safety to develop.

Coach Gary Kubiak said the first-round pick needs to start and make an impact. In the first two rounds of Kubiak’s three drafts, the Texans have used three of four picks on defensive players — Williams (2006), middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans (2006) and defensive tackle Amobi Okoye (2007).

Rick Smith doesn’t rule out anything, including taking an offensive player with his first-round pick.

“You have to look at value,” he said. “If it’s our turn to pick and we have an offensive player rated a lot higher than a defensive player, why should we pass up the higher-rated prospect?

“The idea is to improve the team any way we can. We’ve filled some holes in free agency, but we have a lot more work to get done in the draft. We want to take the best players we can get.”

There’s a good chance Rick Smith will make another first-round trade. He could move up a spot or two if a player he wants drops. More likely, though, is Smith trading down for additional selections.

“When it comes to possible trades in the first round, you do as much preliminary work as you can,” he said. “You let teams know that you might be willing to trade up or down depending on how the round unfolds.

“On draft day, you take and make calls before you make a decision to stay put or trade. So much depends on what happens on draft day. No one can predict right now what’s going to happen that first day.”